Machine for molding glass.



No; 670,438. Patented Marv 26, l90l.

' F. & A. SHUMAN.

MACHINE FUR MO LDING'GLASS.

(Application filed Sept. 20, 1900. (N0,Modal.\ 2 Sheets-S'haet I.

No. 670,438. Patented Mar. 26, 19m.

' F. & A. SHUMAN.

MACHINE FUR MUILDINGgGLASS.

7 (Application filed Sept. 20. 1900.) (No Modgl.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

in: m m w. mun). wmmufm D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK SHUMAN AND ARNO SHUMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING GLASS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,438, dated March26, 190i.

Application filed fieptember 2f), 1900. Serial No. 30,593- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, FRANK SHUMAN and ARNO SHUMAN,Of the city and countyof Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented anImprovement in Machines forMolding Glass,&c. of which the following is aspecification.

Ourinvention has reference to molding-machines for substances in plasticcondition; and it consists of certain improvements fully set forth inthe following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings,which form a part thereof.

In molding prismatic glass and other substances in the plastic orsemifiuid condition by rollers, as has heretofore been largely thepractice, the sharpness of outline and accuracy of configuration havebeen very difficult to secure, especially so in cases where large-relief and area were required. In those processes where accuracy indesignor relief configuration were secured the area of the molded platehas been very circumscribed, because in molding between dies the plasticor semifluid material becomes locked at the central portion of the moldand does not flow properly beyond a very limited area. A furtherdisadvantage in this latter process is danger of having a portion of theglass, technically called the cold spot, find its way between the dies,and thereby interfere with the free flowing of the more-fluid glass.

The object of our invention is to providea suitable apparatus forcarrying on a special process in molding which shall overcome the aboveobjections inherentin the present methods in vogue.

In ourimproved method of molding we place the glass or other semifluidsubstance upon a mold-table and while confining it laterally subject itto the successive actions of sectional dies arranged in close parallelassemblage. In this manner the glass is treated to a series of narrowsurfaces of pressure and each successive action gradually coming intoplay before the glass is released from the action of a series of thedies which im mediately preceded such successive action. In this mannerthe ball of glass or body of plastic material is pushed forward and onlyenough taken therefrom to actually supply the requirements of eachmolding-die. By properly proportioning the machine any desired area ofglass or other substance may be molded accurately either with irregularor plain surface, as desired.

In carrying out our invention we provide a flat table, of metal, havinga plain or irregu-' lar upper surface, as may be required, and abovethis we place a large number of flat mold plates or dies arranged injuxtaposition and adapted to be moved to or from-the table independentlyunder the action of a'traveling roller or cam. The table is providedwith side confining plates or shoe which shall restrict the lateral Howof the glass under the pressure exerted by the mold-plates. Ourimprovements also contemplate many details of construction, all of whichwill be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through the machine, showing theapparatus in process of operation. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of same,and Figs. 3, 4, 5, and

6 are elevations showing how the changing of the shape of the operatingedges of the dies will produce sheets of molded material having surfacesof different characteristics.

A is the bed-plate of the machine and has on its sides the uprightframes B, carrying at their upper ends the longitudinal bars M.

E E are two longitudinalguide-bars secured to the uprights B and betweenwhich are sup-' ported the upright mold-plates D. These mold dies orplates are flat and rest one against the other, being supported at oneend by the cross-plate e and at the other end by an adjustable plate f,pressed against them by the spring F, whose tension is adjusted by ascrew F. By this or any other suitable means of adjustment the frictionbetween the plates may be varied and compensation for Wear provided for.If desired, the parts f, F, F, and 6 may be transposed.

The lower ends of the die-plates D are specially shaped, as at d, d, or01 (shown in the several figures,) to suit-the configuration 'of thesurface to be molded.

G G are two angle-iron plates secured to the uprights B of the machineand act as guides for the yoke h, in which the roller H is journaled.The roller H rests upon the tops of the plates D when molding, and whennot on the said plates it is supported on either of the shelves I or I,one being at each end of themachine. This roller acts as anantifriction-cam, and its function is to gradually depress themold-plates in succession and then release them, so that they can beraised by the action of the springs L. These springs L connect at theirlower ends with the die-plates D and at the tops with the bars M. Thelower edges of the angleiron bars G act as stops for the mold plates ordies D in their upward movement.

C is a molding-table and rests upon the bed-plate A immediately belowthe plates D and receives the glass or plastic material R to be molded.This table is adjustable on the bed-plate for a purpose to be explainedlater on. The bed-plate acts as the base or foundation of the entirestructure of the machine and also as a specific support and guide forthe adj ustable molding-table.

N is a traveling shoe and consists of two side plates connected bycross-rods n, the said plates resting upon the table 0 and extendingupward on each side of the lateral edges of the plates D and held downby the lower parts of the guide-bars E.

The yoke h of the roller II is secured to a rod J, which extends beyondthe end of the machine and is guided in a bearing Its end is looselyconnected with a handle-frame K, having the handle proper, K, and aclearance-space 7c. The end of the rod J has a nut J, againstwhich thehandle-frame may pull, as shown in Fig. 1. When the handleframe K ispushed back toreturn the roller, it slips backward on the rod until thenut J strikes the frame K just back of the handle, and then the parts Kand J move together. The lower part of the frame K is connectedpositively with the traveling shoe N by rods P, so that when the rollerH is being pulled over the mold-plates D the shoe N travels along and isalways in a position to support the glass or plastic material againstlateral flowing and escape. The roller I-I rolls from shelf I to shelf Iat the two ends of the ma chine, and in its passage from one shelf tothe other it successively forces down the intermediate mold-plates D.

To start the machine, the handle-frame K is pushed back until the rollerH is on shelf I and the shoe N moved back as far as possible. The table0 is then pulled back onto the extension of the bed-plate. The glass maynow be placed upon the table, between the side plates of the shoe N, andthe table pushed back under the mold or die plates D. By pulling uponthe handle K the frame K is moved forward to bring the shoe in properposition, and a continued movement then moves the roller H and shoe Nalong simultaneously and at the same time causes the roller to operateupon the die-plates, as above described.

hen the glass has been molded, it will be found that the cold spot willbe wholly at the left end, or where the beginning of the moldingoperation began, and maybe cut off, and thus not allowed to mar theotherwise perfect plate. In types of molding in which the glass issubjected to compression over its whole surface this cold spot of theglass is forced to mingle with the more-fluid glass and produces aninferior product. This is entirely overcome by use of our machine.

In some cases the under side of the molded article is to be flat, inwhich case the surface of the table 0 is made flat; butin other casesthis surface must be irregular, as at c, and hence the surfaceconfiguration of the molded glass or other material may be irregular onboth surfaces. In Fig. 1. we have shown the table as formed with concavetransverse grooves c, which produce in the molded glass a series ofconvex ribs. It thus appears that either or both of the surfaces of themolded substance may be formed with flat or irregular designs.

In Fig. 3 the prismatic glass R formed has the ribs with one verticaland one oblique face, while in Figs. 1 and 2 the ribs would have twooblique faces. In the case of Fig. 6 the ribs are so formed as tooverhang, due to the oblique arrangement of the mold-plates D. In thiscase the roller should move over these plates from right to left toreduce the friction.

In Fig. 4 the plates D have their lower ends alternately grooved androunded, as at d and d respectively, to produce a wave effect. In Fig. 5the lower ends of the plates D are made flat, as at cl, to secure a flatsurface. By simply varying the under surfaces and the thickness andlengths of the plates, or either of them, the designs of the finishedmolded product may be varied.

While we have shown the use of sgrings L to elevate the plates D, anyother expedient well known in the mechanical art-s may be employed inplace of them.

The molded glass may be removed with the mold-table and annealed withoutdisturbing it, thereby obviating the possibility of injury to theaccuracy of its configuration by handling.

While we have assumed that the mold-table 0 Will be used stationary andthe roller or cam device H moved over the mold-plates D in the normaloperation of the machine, it is self'evident that the reverse may bedonenamely, the cam device or roller H may be held in fixed relation andthe mold-table O and mold-plates D moved bodily under it, the principleof operation and process resulting being identical.

While we prefer the construction herein set out and shown, we do notconfine ourselves to the minor details, as these may be modified orvaried Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward and from said mold-table,and a power device common to all of the plates for successively movingthe said mold-plates toward the mold-table.

2. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward and from said mold-table,a power device for moving said mold-plates one after the other towardthe mold-table, and means independent of the power device for moving themold-plates away from the mold-table.

3. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward and from said mold-table,and power devices consisting of a cam-surface movable transverselyacross the upper edges of the mold-plates for successively moving thesaid mold-plates toward the mold-table.

4. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward and from said mold-table,springs for moving the moldplates away from the mold-table, and powerdevices consisting of a roller movable transversely across the upperedges of the moldplates for successively moving the said moldplatestoward the mold-table.

5. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel m'oldplates adapted to be moved toward and from saidmold-table, a movable shoe resting on and movable upon the mold-tableand forming lateral walls between which the moldplates pass to preventlateral spreading of the material to be molded but open on top bottomand ends.

6. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward and from said mold-tablea shoe resting on the mold table and forming lateral walls between whichthe mold-plates pass to prevent lateral spreading of the material to bemolded and movable upon the mold-table so as to be in alinement with themold-plates being moved toward the mold-table, and power devicesconsisting of a cam-surface movable transversely across the upper edgesof the mold-plates for successively moving the said mold-plates towardthe mold-table.

7. In a molding-machine, the combination of a main frame and bed-plate,with mold-table adjustably supported upon the bed-plate, a series ofmold-plates movable to and from the mold-table, a cam device movableover the mold-plates to successively depress them, a traveling shoe toconfine the material being molded against flowing laterally from underthe mold plates, and means for simultaneously moving the cam device andshoe in the same direction and for allowing the shoe to be moved backwith the table a greater distance than the cam device when it is desiredto introduce fresh material to be molded or remove the molded plate.

8. In a molding-machine,the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward or, from the table,adjusting devices for adjustably holding the plates against one another,and power devices for successively moving the said mold-plates towardthe mold-table.

9. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofparallel moldplates adapted to be moved toward or from the table, springdevices for adj ustably holding the plates against one another with anelastic pressure, and power devices for successively moving the saidmold-plates toward the mold-table.

10. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofmold-plates movable toward and from the table and having their operatingends in close juxtaposition, a roller for successively depressing theplates toward the table, means for supporting and guiding the rollertransversely across the upper ends of the mold-plates, and a shelfarranged at one or both ends of the series of mold-plates for receivingand supporting the roller when all of the mold-plates are to be raised.

11. Ina molding-machine, the combination of a mold-table, a series ofmold-plates movable toward and from the table and having their operatingends in close juxtaposition, a traveling cam-surface movable over themold plates for successively depressing the plates toward the table,means for supporting the guiding-cam surface transversely across theupper ends of the mold-plates, and supports for sustaining thecam-surface in position beyond the mold-plates whereby it is moved outof the way when all of the mold-plates are to be raised.

In testimony of which invention we have hereunto set our hands.

FRANK SHUMAN. ARNO SHUMAN.

Witnesses:

ISAAC WOOD, CHARLES Q. MAODONOUGH.

